GM food potentially more devastating than BSE

THE introduction of genetically engineered food on to shop shelves brings with it an unknown risk for consumers and could be `more devastating than BSE, Malcolm Walker, chairman of frozen-food retailer Iceland, warned yesterday.

Iceland is now exploring the possibility of eliminating all processes involving genetically modified ingredients in the production of its own-label ranges.

Iceland has pledged that from 1 May, none of its own-label products will be manufactured using genetically modified soya or any of its derivatives. The company has challenged its competitors to follow suit.

Genetically engineered tomatoes from Zeneca are expected to be approved today by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.